Rethel Craft Beer Festival

A festival dedicated to Ardennes craft beer

The Rethel Craft Beer Festival was born from the desire of the Rotary Club of Rethel to highlight the artisanal brewing know-how of the Ardennes and the Grand Est region. Organized every year in March at the L'Atmosphère hall in Sault-lès-Rethel, this friendly show brings together 14 craft brewers who present their latest creations and their characteristic beers. Informed amateurs and curious newcomers meet for three days to taste, compare, learn, and exchange around this ancestral beverage.

Tastings, conferences, and demonstrations

The heart of the festival is, of course, the tasting. Each brewer offers a range of their beers: blondes, ambers, browns, whites, IPAs, seasonal beers, stouts, and original creations. Themed conferences are organized to deepen brewing culture: history of beer in the Ardennes, brewing techniques, food-beer pairings. Brewing demonstrations allow visitors to understand the manufacturing steps, from malting to fermentation. The festival also hosts the launch of new beer varieties created especially for the occasion.

Pop-rock concerts and artisanal village

The festival is not limited to tastings alone. Every evening, the L'Atmosphère hall vibrates to the sound of pop-rock concerts with regional bands. On Saturdays and Sundays, an artisanal village hosts gourmet producers, artists, and local artisans who offer products from the Ardennes terroir. On-site catering is provided throughout the weekend, with hot meals, lard salads, and local specialties to accompany the tastings.

A solidarity and friendly event

The Craft Beer Festival is driven by the volunteers of the Rotary Club of Rethel, who donate all profits to their social works. The event has notably supported the Olympic Trajectories program, which supports Ardennes athletes on their journey to the Olympic Games. On Sunday morning, a Sunday aperitif is offered with a free tasting, in a spirit of sharing and conviviality. The festival has become a must-attend event for craft beer lovers in the Southern Ardennes.